Solihull voters threaten to boycott voting for Lorely Burt

THE Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party revealed she had received thousands of e-mails from supporters threatening never to vote for her again if Nick Clegg agreed a deal with the Conservatives.

THE Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party revealed she had received thousands of e-mails from supporters threatening never to vote for her again if Nick Clegg agreed a deal with the Conservatives.

Lorely Burt held on to Solihull with a majority of just 175, in a major blow to the Conservatives who had hoped to take the seat.

But Lib Dems who object to David Cameron becoming Prime Minister have reacted angrily to the possibility of a Lib Dem-Tory pact.

Ms Burt said: “I have had well over 3,000 e-mails about this.

“When you have got people putting severe pressure on you, saying if you ever do a deal with the Tories I will never support you again, then I think it is incumbent on you to talk to Labour. But I think we have to be big about this and look at the election result, and accept that we have a responsibility to ensure there is a stable government.”

Gordon Brown’s announcement that he would stand down as Labour leader had raised difficult issues, she said.

“Nick Clegg had said he wouldn’t prop up a Brown-led government if Mr Brown had been rejected by voters.

“But the fact that he has gone also means that you don’t know who you would be dealing with. And whoever it is, they wouldn’t have been elected.”

The day began with speculation that the Liberal Democrats could be set to agree a deal with Labour, following Gordon Brown’s announcement on Monday that he was ready to stand down as Labour leader.

But talks in the morning went badly, after Labour reportedly objected to Lib Dem tax and spending plans.

It was also reported that Lib Dems were angry at the way Labour’s negotiating team, which included Peter Mandelson and Ed Balls, had spoken to them during the meeting.

And there were also reports that the Labour cabinet was split on whether to work with the Lib Dems – which were confirmed when Health Secretary andy Burnham later expressed concerns.